Device to connect a flexible strap or lanyard to a handheld device

ABSTRACT

A device that allows the user to easily and safely retrieve a smartphone or tablet device from a pocket or purse, secure the handheld device on their person, and/or to secure the handheld device on another device. The device includes a case, a connection point or points located on the case, and the strap is secure to the connection point or points.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/479,948 filed May 12, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a device to connect a strap or lanyard to secure a handheld device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device to connect a flexible strap or lanyard to a smartphone, a smartphone case, or a handheld computer tablet.

The functional use of electronic handheld devices, such as smartphones and computer tablets, continue to be increasingly technically capable. The electronic handheld devices are being used as educational tools for those including the physically and mentally challenged, as medical and athletic data collection devices, field equipment for scientific study, highly capable still and video cameras, and military battlefield communication and location devices. The technical possibilities of the electronic handheld devices will continue to advance quickly. Unfortunately the functional and safety to use the electronic handheld devices is limited by the lack of capability to physically secure them such as by wrist strap, neck lanyard, or strapping them to another device.

A physically challenged person using a handheld computer tablet could use a lanyard to help keep from dropping the device. A person using a smartphone to take a photo could use a strap to secure the device not only for taking a better photo but to keep from dropping the smartphone.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device that allows the user to easily and safely retrieve a handheld device from a pocket or purse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a device for connecting a strap to a handheld device includes a case; at least one connection point located on the case; a hole placed on each connection point; and a strap or a lanyard secured to at least one of the connection points.

In another aspect of the present invention, a device for connecting a strap to a handheld device includes at least one connection point located on the handheld device and a strap or a lanyard secured to at least one of the connection points.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a device to connect a strap to a handheld device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the device in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the device taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of a device to connect a strap to a handheld device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the device in use;

FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of a device to connect a strap to a handheld device according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective front view of a device to connect a strap to a handheld device according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the device in use;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective front view of the device of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective back view of the handheld device including connections points integrated into a back side of the handheld device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a recessed connection point that allows the user to easily and safely retrieve a handheld device from a pocket or purse, secure the handheld device on their person, and/or to secure the handheld device on another device.

FIGS. 1-4 show a device 10 for connecting a strap 16 to a handheld device 20 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the device 10 may include a case 12 having a connection point 14 on the case 12. The connection point 14 may include holes 22 to secure a strap 16 to the case 12.

The handheld device 20 may be, for example, mobile telephones, smart phones, communicators, cameras, digital audio players, such as MP3-players, or iPods®.

The case 12 may be made of a semi flexible material. In some embodiments, the case 12 may be made of flexible plastic, lightweight rubber, polymer, or composite material. In some embodiments, the semi flexible material may be made of a transparent material. The case 12 may have a geometrical shape, for example, a rectangle or a square. The case 12 may have a height and width slightly greater than the height and width of the handheld device 20. The case 12 may be made by injection molding or molding.

The handheld device 20 may fit tightly on the case 12 to prevent the handheld device from falling out of the case 12.

The strap or lanyard 16 may be a commercially available flexible strap commonly used by cameras and/or video recorders. The strap or lanyard 16 may have a length that fits on the wrist of the user or hangs from the neck of the user. The strap or lanyard 16 may form a loop 18 when connected to the case 12.

The connection points 14 may be integrated into the case 12 during the manufacturing process. The connection points 14 may have any geometrical shape, for example, square, rectangular, semi-circle, triangular, circular, or oval. The connection points 14 may be located at any point of the case 12, for example, near the edges of the case 12 or back side of the case 12.

The user (not shown) may pass the strap 16 through the holes 22 to secure the strap 16 to the case 12.

FIG. 5 shows a device 24 to connect the strap 16 to the handheld device 20 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the device 24 may be the same as the device 10 of the previous embodiment, except that the connection points and the holes 22 may be integrated directly on the handheld device 20 during the manufacturing process of the handheld device 20.

FIG. 6 shows a device 26 to connect the strap 16 to the handheld device 20 according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the device 26 may be the same as the device 10 of the previous embodiment, except that the connection points 14 and the holes 22 may be integrated into the corners 28 of the case 12.

FIGS. 7-9 show a device 30 to connect the strap 16 to the handheld device 20 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the device 30 may be the same as the device 10 of the previous embodiment, except that a loop 32 may be integrated into the case 12 during the manufacturing process of the case 12. The loop 32 may allow the user (not shown) to secure the strap 16 to the case.

FIG. 10 shows the handheld device 20 having the connections points 14 integrated directly on the back side of the handheld device 20.

The user may remove the strap 16 from the case 12 or the handheld device 20 at any time.

The device 10, 24, 26, 30 may facilitate the handling of the handheld device 20 when the handheld device 20 is in use. In addition, the device 10, 24, 26, 30 may allow the user to securely retrieve the handheld device 20 from his/her pocket or purse.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A device for connecting a strap to a handheld device comprising: a case; at least one connection point located on the case; a hole placed on the connection point; and a strap or a lanyard secured to at least one of the connection points.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connection point is integrated into the case.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the case is made of a transparent material.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connection point is attached into the case.
 5. The device according to claim 1, further including a loop integrated into the case, the strap or the lanyard is secured to the loop.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the case is made of a semi flexible material selected from the group consisting of flexible plastic, lightweight rubber, polymer, or composite material.
 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the case is made by injection molding or molding.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connection point is integrated into corners of the case. 